Birthday Reflections
Today I become a quarter of a century old. It doesn't feel that different from yesterday, in fact in some ways it doesn't feel much different than 18. My car insurance will go down, I can rent a car without paying exorbinant fees, I am considered by the government to be an adult responsible for myself. Offically I am now considered by the world at large to be a grown up. Trippy feeling. Not a bad one though.
As things stand, I have a pretty awesome life at the moment. Perhaps not the life everyone would choose, or even the life I would have expected, or desired, but still a pretty decent life. I am in school, taking steps to achieve my dream. I have an amazing job that fits me perfectly, and I love. I do not have a romantic relationship to cloud my thinking or judgement, however I do have intimate companionship, and very close friendships.
Someone asked me when I was 15 where I thought I would be in 10 years. I remember answering "I'm not sure, but I hope I am published and have found someone wonderful to settle down with." I am published, even if it is only an article. My views on settling down in the near future have changed, but I think that's okay. I am a much different person today than I was back then, and I think I am the better for it. I have grown into a woman in those years. A sometimes confused, slightly erratic woman, but a woman nontheless :).
Today the sparrows return to Capastrano, and today I reflect on my life, and all of the birthdays that have come before. The huge parties, pool parties, house parties, people vomiting off decks and leaving keg cups in the trees on my 21st birthday. Being busted after dark by a cop with my boyfriend at Whatcom Falls park on my 16th birthday. The rum cake Teri made me for my 19th birthday. Getting hammered and dancing along with a cute Scottish dancer in Canada for my 20th birthday. Many people and many experiences have come and gone through my life, and while many have faded or left my life, I cherish the memory of all. I have been blessed in this life. For some reason the most amazing people come into my life and seem to think that I'm a pretty cool girl. Some come and some go, but all have touched me and left their mark upon my heart.
I would like to pay tribute to a few of these people who have brightend my life and become foundations of friendship.
Marshall. Through thick and thin, hell and high water, sadness and joy, humor and pain, he has stood by my side. He has heard my deepest secrets and darkest fears, and loves me still. We have played and joked, loved and lost, and shared all between us. There is nothing that he does not know about me. This year will make a decade since the 9 hour phone call that cemented our friendship, and created the bond between us.
David. My Superhero. The only man in my life I have met who can lift a car and lend a shoulder to cry on. He sees past my walls and defenses, and picks at the heart of the matter every time. He is the most honest man I know, and one of the most loving. He can always make me laugh, even at the peak of my anger or sorrow. He also knows the recesses of my heart. He's my special actor-man, and I would trust him with my life.
Jeff. My male twin from across the states. Miles seperate us, months sometimes seperate us, yet still we retain the same friendship we have had for 14 years. He is amazing in an insult war, and though he tries hard to hide it, one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. He is quirky, silly and loveable. He has found himself an amazing wife that I cherish, and created the most adorable little monster I have ever seen. We have grown up together, shared our lives from afar. Few people understand me the way that Jeff does.
Tia. Few women in my life ever become my close friends. From the moment I met Tia I knew that she was a unique individual that I had to know. We have partied together, cried together, bitched together, gossiped together, and laughed together. She has a brightness in her soul like none I have ever seen. She is strong and independant, yet retains a delicate soul. She can entrance an entire room with a story, her energy spills like sunlight into people, drawing them into her excitement. It is a special thing, to have a woman like her call me friend.
Richard. He is my shy boy, my conniseur of music. Comparativly he has not been in my life for long, yet has earned just as special a place in my heart. Though he can be quiet, he can hold the most amazing conversations when he feels comfortable. He is a man of many talents though he is too modest about his accomplishments. Photographer, artist, musician, he is one of the most creative people I know. Stubborn and opinionated, emotional and reflective, he is a gem among men. From the first day I met him, I have felt comfortable with him, as if we had known eachother forever. He is my most newly aquired Boy, and I adore his wit and sheen of innocence.
Just a few of the many amazing people in my life. To you all today, the day of my birth, I thank you. May you all be with me for many more birthdays, whether or not distance allows you to be with me physically. I love you all from the bottom of my heart, and the best gifts I have ever recieved have been the gifts of your support, love and freindship. I would not be who I am today without you.
As things stand, I have a pretty awesome life at the moment. Perhaps not the life everyone would choose, or even the life I would have expected, or desired, but still a pretty decent life. I am in school, taking steps to achieve my dream. I have an amazing job that fits me perfectly, and I love. I do not have a romantic relationship to cloud my thinking or judgement, however I do have intimate companionship, and very close friendships.
Someone asked me when I was 15 where I thought I would be in 10 years. I remember answering "I'm not sure, but I hope I am published and have found someone wonderful to settle down with." I am published, even if it is only an article. My views on settling down in the near future have changed, but I think that's okay. I am a much different person today than I was back then, and I think I am the better for it. I have grown into a woman in those years. A sometimes confused, slightly erratic woman, but a woman nontheless :).
Today the sparrows return to Capastrano, and today I reflect on my life, and all of the birthdays that have come before. The huge parties, pool parties, house parties, people vomiting off decks and leaving keg cups in the trees on my 21st birthday. Being busted after dark by a cop with my boyfriend at Whatcom Falls park on my 16th birthday. The rum cake Teri made me for my 19th birthday. Getting hammered and dancing along with a cute Scottish dancer in Canada for my 20th birthday. Many people and many experiences have come and gone through my life, and while many have faded or left my life, I cherish the memory of all. I have been blessed in this life. For some reason the most amazing people come into my life and seem to think that I'm a pretty cool girl. Some come and some go, but all have touched me and left their mark upon my heart.
I would like to pay tribute to a few of these people who have brightend my life and become foundations of friendship.
Marshall. Through thick and thin, hell and high water, sadness and joy, humor and pain, he has stood by my side. He has heard my deepest secrets and darkest fears, and loves me still. We have played and joked, loved and lost, and shared all between us. There is nothing that he does not know about me. This year will make a decade since the 9 hour phone call that cemented our friendship, and created the bond between us.
David. My Superhero. The only man in my life I have met who can lift a car and lend a shoulder to cry on. He sees past my walls and defenses, and picks at the heart of the matter every time. He is the most honest man I know, and one of the most loving. He can always make me laugh, even at the peak of my anger or sorrow. He also knows the recesses of my heart. He's my special actor-man, and I would trust him with my life.
Jeff. My male twin from across the states. Miles seperate us, months sometimes seperate us, yet still we retain the same friendship we have had for 14 years. He is amazing in an insult war, and though he tries hard to hide it, one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. He is quirky, silly and loveable. He has found himself an amazing wife that I cherish, and created the most adorable little monster I have ever seen. We have grown up together, shared our lives from afar. Few people understand me the way that Jeff does.
Tia. Few women in my life ever become my close friends. From the moment I met Tia I knew that she was a unique individual that I had to know. We have partied together, cried together, bitched together, gossiped together, and laughed together. She has a brightness in her soul like none I have ever seen. She is strong and independant, yet retains a delicate soul. She can entrance an entire room with a story, her energy spills like sunlight into people, drawing them into her excitement. It is a special thing, to have a woman like her call me friend.
Richard. He is my shy boy, my conniseur of music. Comparativly he has not been in my life for long, yet has earned just as special a place in my heart. Though he can be quiet, he can hold the most amazing conversations when he feels comfortable. He is a man of many talents though he is too modest about his accomplishments. Photographer, artist, musician, he is one of the most creative people I know. Stubborn and opinionated, emotional and reflective, he is a gem among men. From the first day I met him, I have felt comfortable with him, as if we had known eachother forever. He is my most newly aquired Boy, and I adore his wit and sheen of innocence.
Just a few of the many amazing people in my life. To you all today, the day of my birth, I thank you. May you all be with me for many more birthdays, whether or not distance allows you to be with me physically. I love you all from the bottom of my heart, and the best gifts I have ever recieved have been the gifts of your support, love and freindship. I would not be who I am today without you.